Every child has their own pace, and comparing them with the neighbor’s child rarely helps. Still, some signs are worth knowing because they mean an assessment is a good idea. Catching things early isn’t about panicking: it’s about gaining time.
0 to 12 months
- Doesn’t hold their head up at 4 months.
- Doesn’t smile or follow with their eyes.
- Doesn’t babble or respond to their name around 1 year.
- Doesn’t sit with support at 9 months.
1 to 2 years
- Isn’t walking at 18 months.
- No words at 18 months or two-word phrases at 2 years.
- Doesn’t point to show things or imitate gestures.
- Loses words or skills they already had.
3 to 4 years
- People outside the family can’t understand their speech.
- Doesn’t play pretend or show interest in other children.
- Falls a lot or struggles with stairs.
- Strongly rejects textures, clothing or noises.
5 to 6 years
- Can’t follow two- or three-step instructions.
- Has great difficulty holding a pencil, cutting or dressing.
- Doesn’t recognize letters or sounds by the end of preschool.
- Very intense or frequent tantrums for their age.
What if I recognize one?
It doesn’t mean there’s a disorder. It means an assessment with a developmental professional is worthwhile. If all is well, you’ll have peace of mind; if not, you start early, when the brain is most able to change.
The information on this page is for guidance and does not replace a professional assessment. Every child is different: diagnosis and plan are defined after an evaluation.